Problem-Solving Court Team

Effective April 7, 2021 (a) A problem-solving court shall have a problem-solving court judge and a team approved by the problem-solving court judge consistent with this section. (1) Each of the following roles must be represented on the problem-solving court team, but an individual may represent more than one role: (A) The coordinator; (B) One or more case managers; (C) One or more probation officers if the problem-solving court accepts individuals as a condition of probation; (D) One or more community corrections officers if the problem-solving court accepts individuals as a condition of participation in a community corrections program; (E) One or more parole agents or representatives if the problem-solving court accepts individuals as a condition of parole; (F) The local prosecuting attorney or a representative from the prosecuting attorney’s office if the problem-solving court accepts individuals under a criminal or delinquency case number; (G) One or more criminal defense attorneys if the problem-solving court accepts individuals under a criminal or delinquency case number; (H) One or more local mental health providers if one (1) or more participants are receiving mental health services upon referral from the problem-solving court; (I) One or more addiction treatment services providers if one (1) or more participants are receiving addiction treatment services upon referral from the problem-solving court; (J) One or more representatives from the Veterans’ Administration if the problem- solving court accepts individuals pursuant to IC 33-23-16-10; and, (K) One or more representatives from the Department of Child Services if the problem-solving court accepts individuals pursuant to IC 33-23-16-6. (2) In addition to the members required under subdivision (1) of this section, the team may include any combination of the following: (A) Any individual listed in subdivision (1) of this section that is not a required member; (B) A representative of the community transition program; (C) A victim’s representative or advocate; (D) A school liaison; (E) A pharmacist; (F) A law enforcement officer; and, (G) Any other member approved by the problem-solving court judge. (b) The problem-solving court shall maintain on file a description of the members of the problem-solving court team. The coordinator shall maintain a signed a memorandum of understanding for each team member that describes the team member’s: (1) agreement to uphold confidentiality requirements; (2) commitment to the on-going exchange of participant information with the problem- solving court team members; and (3) problem-solving court responsibilities, including regular attendance and participation in the team staff meetings and problem-solving court case compliance hearings. (c) The problem-solving court shall establish a policy and practice of regular team meetings to discuss the eligibility, progress, sanctions and discharge of participants prior to the participants’ scheduled court hearings. Commentary on Section 13(a). The problem-solving court team membership should be limited to those individuals who either have a duty to monitor a participant’s court case or provide services to participants. A problem-solving court policy committee may also be formed comprised of a variety of community stakeholders to assist in developing policy, marketing, and obtaining support for the problem-solving court. Each member of the problem-solving court team should obtain sufficient in-service training each year to stay current in problem-solving court related issues.